Tom Hanks to Play Abraham Lincoln in ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ Film Adaptation

Tom Hanks is Back Again and this time as Abraham Lincoln; Here’s What We Know About ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ Film Adaptation

Legendary President Returns to the Big Screen

Hollywood has found its Abraham Lincoln again, and the choice might surprise you. Tom Hanks is set to play America's 16th President, and honestly, it feels like the perfect match.

The two-time Oscar winner will star in the Lincoln in the Bardo movie, adapted from the deeply loved George Saunders novel. Since the announcement, people can't stop talking about it. And once you hear what the story is actually about, you'll understand why.

The Story Behind the Film

It's 1862. The Civil War is tearing the country apart. But inside the White House, Abraham Lincoln is fighting a completely different battle, the loss of his 11-year-old son, Willie.

This George Saunders novel adaptation doesn't focus on battlefields or political debates. It focuses on a father who can't let go. The story mixes real history with supernatural elements, creating something that feels both timeless and completely original. It's the kind of story that stays with you long after it ends.

What Sets This Film Apart

Most historical drama Hollywood films follow the same playbook: big speeches, dramatic moments, a heroic ending. The Lincoln in the Bardo movie throws that playbook out the window.

Instead, it asks a quieter, harder question: What happens to a powerful man when he's powerless to save someone he loves?

That's what makes this Abraham Lincoln movie 2026 so exciting. It's not trying to be another history lesson. It's trying to be honest about what grief really looks like, even for the greatest leaders in history.

Why Tom Hanks Was Born for This Role

Tom Hanks has always had a gift for playing real, grounded, deeply human characters. He doesn't chase greatness on screen; he earns it quietly. That's exactly what this role needs. Lincoln wasn't just a president. He was a person carrying an enormous weight. With Tom Hanks leading this George Saunders novel adaptation, audiences might finally see the man behind the myth.

This Abraham Lincoln movie, 2026, could be one of the most memorable historical dramas Hollywood has produced in years. Don't sleep on it!